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Unlikely You: Sapph in the City, Book 5
I don’t trust people, and for good reason. My parents kicked me out the second I turned eighteen, and my friends from high school or college all lost touch. No matter how close we get, how much they claim they love me, they always abandon me. The only person I can rely on is me, which is why I’ve built my own business from the ground up making bookish merch and accessories. So far, I’m hitting or exceeding all my goals and that’s all I need.
If someone asked my family to describe me, one of the first words that would come up is “reliable.” That’s me, Honey Holloway, the girl who will get it done with a smile on her face. It’s easy to grin and pretend I’m fine with my parents being unconcerned with things like taxes and invoices and the “boring” parts of running our family apiary and farm. I too would like nothing more than to hang out with the bees all day, but someone has to keep this place together and make sure my siblings have a future.
There is one person that I talk to though, and that’s Melliferal. We met online over a year ago and clicked right away over our shared love of books and fanfiction. I’m reluctant to share too much about myself, but she seems fine with that. Most of my ire is reserved for Honey Holloway, specifically. There’s just something about her that drives me to distraction. I’ve just never met someone who looked so much like they ate sunshine and rainbows for breakfast every morning. It’s bizarre and intriguing and irritating and arousing.
When I finally have a moment to myself, I talk to my online friend Bibliofile. She’s the only person who I feel like I can be honest with. Up to a point, though, because we don’t discuss any personal details. Even without knowing her real name, I’ve developed a raging crush on an internet stranger, and that’s on top of my IRL (hopeless) crush on Bren Hendrix. At least I know Bibliofile likes me, though. Bren so obviously doesn’t, but I’m not going to let that stop me. I’ve never seen someone who needs a friend more than Bren. She’s going to be mine, even if I have to bribe her with jars of hot honey that I made myself.
Audible Audio
First published February 18, 2025
About the author
Chelsea M. Cameron
113 books4,891 followersChelsea M. Cameron is a New York Times/USA Today/Internationally Best Selling author from Maine who now lives and works in Boston. She's a red velvet cake enthusiast, obsessive tea drinker, former cheerleader, and world's worst video gamer. When not writing, she enjoys watching infomercials, eating brunch in bed, tweeting, and playing fetch with her cat, Sassenach. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Maine, Orono that she promptly abandoned to write about the people in her own head. More often than not, these people turn out to be just as weird as she is.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 8, 2025
Honey reached into my chest and grabbed onto pieces of me that I didn’t even know were there and then yanked them into the light and made me look at them. It was horrifying and freeing at the same time. Both the best and the worst.
3.5 stars. Another great instalment in this sweet, small-town, low angst sapphic series. This series always delivers just what I'm looking for; they're short, tropey, funny and sexy. This one has a grumpy/sunshine dynamic, with Bren, a taciturn, untrusting small business owner, and Honey, a sweet amateur beekeeper from a big, boisterous family. Their stalls are next to each other at the local market, but despite all of Honey's attempts, Bren hasn't opened up to her yet. Unbeknownst to them both, they're already pretty good friends, and have been messaging each other online under pen names for over a year.
Very tropey setup, and it progresses just as you might think. They're already friends online and continue to converse about books and fandoms and other things they have in common, but never divulge identifying details about their real life. And meanwhile they slowly start becoming friends at the market (almost against Bren's will) and their lives start bleeding together. This was really cute! Opposites attract remains one of my favourite romantic tropes, and I loved seeing Honey worm her way under Bren's skin. Especially since we already know that Bren DOES find Honey really charming and appealing, but just has a lot of baggage to unpack. It was great, seeing her open up. The author always manages to make me feel close to and fall in love with her characters in record time, and it was no different here. I will say, Bren talks a lot about how she has really dark and different desires in bed, so I was expecting the sex scenes to be a little out there... but they weren't. Which isn't a bad thing, just... expectations versus reality, you know.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Carly Robins and Zura Johnson and really liked it! A few errors here and there (I feel like Arson, the cute cat, got called "he" instead of "she" a few times) but nothing that really impacted enjoyment. Another win in this series!
September 11, 2025
4.25⭐
Unlikely You is my favorite in the Sapph in the City series. I really liked the first book, Unexpected You. The other books in the series have been okay, solid 3-star books. This newest book, number 5 in the series, 6th in the universe, really amped up the game.
You've Got Mail was one of my favorite movies in the 90s and Unlikely You takes the good parts of its idea and brings them to the modern world with sapphic twist.
Unlikely You is my favorite in the Sapph in the City series. I really liked the first book, Unexpected You. The other books in the series have been okay, solid 3-star books. This newest book, number 5 in the series, 6th in the universe, really amped up the game.
You've Got Mail was one of my favorite movies in the 90s and Unlikely You takes the good parts of its idea and brings them to the modern world with sapphic twist.
March 17, 2025
Such a glorious opposites attract, slow burn, HOT love story! Bren is a closed off and keeps to herself artisan. The only time she smiles is with customers or with her cat Arson. However, in the stall next to her is the Halloway family and the oldest daughter Honey. She sneaks looks at Honey, beautiful Honey. But Honey sneaks looks at Bren. She finds Bren gorgeous.
Honey is outgoing and vivacious, and practically runs the family's honey stand.
Bren feels she's not good enough for Honey. This is a sweet story ! I really LOVE this book! 5 stars!
Honey is outgoing and vivacious, and practically runs the family's honey stand.
Bren feels she's not good enough for Honey. This is a sweet story ! I really LOVE this book! 5 stars!
March 29, 2025
Bren sells her handmade stuff at an indoor market; after getting her degree in design and marketing she worked for several years, saving so she could start making her own craft items, especially book and reading based things because of her love of books. Her childhood hadn’t been happy, and as a result she didn’t trust anyone and had never had a relationship. She seemed to an outsider as an eternally grumpy person.
Honey is the oldest child in the Holloway family, a perpetually sunny person. With her family of her parents and three siblings, they run a farm with many beehives and plants and some animals. The whole family turns out to sell their products at the market, from the stall next to Bren. Honey has had a crush on grumpy Bren for a while and has tried everything to get her to open up, without much success.
Bren has an online friend she talks to about almost everything - the only person that knows that side of her, without knowing any personal details.
This is a warm and sweet story, happy Honey and grumpy Bren. But there is also their secret online chat, where they don’t know who the other is. A trope very much like You’ve Got Mail, and a host of other books and movies.
Honey is the oldest child in the Holloway family, a perpetually sunny person. With her family of her parents and three siblings, they run a farm with many beehives and plants and some animals. The whole family turns out to sell their products at the market, from the stall next to Bren. Honey has had a crush on grumpy Bren for a while and has tried everything to get her to open up, without much success.
Bren has an online friend she talks to about almost everything - the only person that knows that side of her, without knowing any personal details.
This is a warm and sweet story, happy Honey and grumpy Bren. But there is also their secret online chat, where they don’t know who the other is. A trope very much like You’ve Got Mail, and a host of other books and movies.
February 21, 2025
Utterly Delightful
Bren and Honey couldn’t be more different if they tried, yet they each harbor an unfortunate crush on the other, and soon they’re about to find out they’re connected in ways they never could have imagined.
Unlikely You is grumpy sunshine romance at its finest. Honey is everything her name implies, yet a lonely but resilient heart hides beneath the sweetness. Bren has years of baggage to blame for her prickly personality, but her susceptibility to Honey’s warmth shows she’s far from heartless. The adorable, funny, and awkward set of situations that brings them together makes for a brilliant and sigh-inducing romance.
Unlikely You sparkles as both a standalone story and as another delightful offering in the Sapph in the City series.
Bren and Honey couldn’t be more different if they tried, yet they each harbor an unfortunate crush on the other, and soon they’re about to find out they’re connected in ways they never could have imagined.
Unlikely You is grumpy sunshine romance at its finest. Honey is everything her name implies, yet a lonely but resilient heart hides beneath the sweetness. Bren has years of baggage to blame for her prickly personality, but her susceptibility to Honey’s warmth shows she’s far from heartless. The adorable, funny, and awkward set of situations that brings them together makes for a brilliant and sigh-inducing romance.
Unlikely You sparkles as both a standalone story and as another delightful offering in the Sapph in the City series.
July 23, 2025
Now who the hell wakes up and immediately starts belting at the top of their lungs lol. Worst next door neighbours ever to exist in the history of neighbours 🙏😭
Brin is extremely aloof and honestly I wasn’t even convinced she liked Honey at all. But as the story progresses she starts to open up to the idea of loving Honey and that’s really beautiful.
Honey, as the name suggests is just a sweetheart. She’s one of those characters where you’d just love to be her friend she’s so adorable.
Enemies to Lovers. Concealed identity. Emotionally Guarded. Slow Burn. Grumpy x Sunshine.
Brin is extremely aloof and honestly I wasn’t even convinced she liked Honey at all. But as the story progresses she starts to open up to the idea of loving Honey and that’s really beautiful.
Honey, as the name suggests is just a sweetheart. She’s one of those characters where you’d just love to be her friend she’s so adorable.
Enemies to Lovers. Concealed identity. Emotionally Guarded. Slow Burn. Grumpy x Sunshine.
April 22, 2025
Beeeee sure to read this yummy book!!
Another great Sapph in the City book! Bren and Honey offer a pleasant balance of the grumpy/sunshine trope. I love getting both POV’s, it just adds depth and understanding you don’t get with singular POV’s.
Another great Sapph in the City book! Bren and Honey offer a pleasant balance of the grumpy/sunshine trope. I love getting both POV’s, it just adds depth and understanding you don’t get with singular POV’s.
March 10, 2025
More please…
I’m not ready for this book to be done! It totally sucked me in. Most of her books do. Every time I think they couldn’t get better, they manager to. I love the dynamic of Honey and Bren’s relationship. I was a bit put off at first by how fast Bren changed after they got together. But, if you think about her background and that she finally felt the love she never had, then I could see it. Now I want more. I want to see more of the transition into the family she saw as so foreign. I want to know what happens with Ellie on her journey. I think that the book didn’t have to end. There is still so much unknown.
I’m not ready for this book to be done! It totally sucked me in. Most of her books do. Every time I think they couldn’t get better, they manager to. I love the dynamic of Honey and Bren’s relationship. I was a bit put off at first by how fast Bren changed after they got together. But, if you think about her background and that she finally felt the love she never had, then I could see it. Now I want more. I want to see more of the transition into the family she saw as so foreign. I want to know what happens with Ellie on her journey. I think that the book didn’t have to end. There is still so much unknown.
March 12, 2025
sweet in so many ways.
Such an easy read, one of those books you can’t put down just because it was so kind and loving.
Such an easy read, one of those books you can’t put down just because it was so kind and loving.
March 26, 2025
This is the second book by Chelsea M. Cameron that I’ve read, and while this book was better than the first, it still leaves me wanting more out of the writing style. Cameron uses first person POV and switches between both MCs, Bren and Honey, throughout the book. First person POV is difficult to pull off, and Cameron doesn’t quite master it here.
Cameron’s style also relies heavily on telling rather than showing. For the majority of the book, we are in the MCs headspace with a few scenes spread out throughout the book. This leaves a lot to be desired because what I want as a reader are scenes that help develop the characters and show them interacting with one another as well as developing their feelings for one another. Instead, we get a lot of Honey thinks this about Bren, Bren thinks this about Honey, this happened in the last chapter and now let me tell you what Honey or Bren thought about what happened.
What I really want is for Cameron to develop scenes that illustrate what’s going on and help explain/give context to how Bren or Honey are reacting in the scene. For example, the first chapter from Bren’s perspective goes into a lot of detail about her past and the marketplace where she interacts with Honey. Rather than tell us what Bren thinks about everything, the book could have begun with a scene happening at the marketplace. Show us how Bren reacts to Honey and her family rather than telling us that she thinks they’re annoying.
The writing style also becomes monotonous. There are times when the characters are going step by step through their day, which gets boring. So much of this information wasn’t necessary because it didn’t add any value to the storyline and felt like filler more than anything else.
The main thing that worked here was the opposites attract trope, which should have been used as the focal point. Unfortunately, Cameron does what a lot of F/F writers do – add more things into the mix that aren’t all that necessary to tell the story. While Bren’s and Honey’s online relationship – where they don’t know each other’s identities in real life – was interesting at times, the big reveal didn’t work here. In fact, Bren’s freak out was odd, and I started wondering why this online relationship really needed to be in the story to begin with. It probably could have been omitted and Cameron could have simply stuck with showing how these opposite personalities couldn’t get away or stay away from each other.
Bren’s sexual desires was another area that didn’t quite work here because it lacked the development needed to make it work.
There were moments when the dialogue between Bren and Honey was on point, but oftentimes, the dialogue was just boring. By the last section of the book, I lost interest in the storyline. Overall, this was a slow-burn until the last part where things seemed to speed up quickly like Cameron was trying to cram in a bunch of stuff at the end.
I did like the MCs in this book though. Honey and Bren seem like a good fit together in general. I just wish the storytelling would have been more engaging.
Cameron’s style also relies heavily on telling rather than showing. For the majority of the book, we are in the MCs headspace with a few scenes spread out throughout the book. This leaves a lot to be desired because what I want as a reader are scenes that help develop the characters and show them interacting with one another as well as developing their feelings for one another. Instead, we get a lot of Honey thinks this about Bren, Bren thinks this about Honey, this happened in the last chapter and now let me tell you what Honey or Bren thought about what happened.
What I really want is for Cameron to develop scenes that illustrate what’s going on and help explain/give context to how Bren or Honey are reacting in the scene. For example, the first chapter from Bren’s perspective goes into a lot of detail about her past and the marketplace where she interacts with Honey. Rather than tell us what Bren thinks about everything, the book could have begun with a scene happening at the marketplace. Show us how Bren reacts to Honey and her family rather than telling us that she thinks they’re annoying.
The writing style also becomes monotonous. There are times when the characters are going step by step through their day, which gets boring. So much of this information wasn’t necessary because it didn’t add any value to the storyline and felt like filler more than anything else.
The main thing that worked here was the opposites attract trope, which should have been used as the focal point. Unfortunately, Cameron does what a lot of F/F writers do – add more things into the mix that aren’t all that necessary to tell the story. While Bren’s and Honey’s online relationship – where they don’t know each other’s identities in real life – was interesting at times, the big reveal didn’t work here. In fact, Bren’s freak out was odd, and I started wondering why this online relationship really needed to be in the story to begin with. It probably could have been omitted and Cameron could have simply stuck with showing how these opposite personalities couldn’t get away or stay away from each other.
Bren’s sexual desires was another area that didn’t quite work here because it lacked the development needed to make it work.
There were moments when the dialogue between Bren and Honey was on point, but oftentimes, the dialogue was just boring. By the last section of the book, I lost interest in the storyline. Overall, this was a slow-burn until the last part where things seemed to speed up quickly like Cameron was trying to cram in a bunch of stuff at the end.
I did like the MCs in this book though. Honey and Bren seem like a good fit together in general. I just wish the storytelling would have been more engaging.
February 25, 2025
EXTREMELY AMAZING!
Refreshing, sexy as hell, all the feels. This book surprised me with this trope(?). I’ve not read another sapphic book with the premise that one partner was so traumatized by a lack of parental love that they closed themselves off to feelings of any kind.
Bren was not likable in the beginning, but learning of her past was completely logical. One of the best books I’ve read recently. Totally a MUST READ!
Refreshing, sexy as hell, all the feels. This book surprised me with this trope(?). I’ve not read another sapphic book with the premise that one partner was so traumatized by a lack of parental love that they closed themselves off to feelings of any kind.
Bren was not likable in the beginning, but learning of her past was completely logical. One of the best books I’ve read recently. Totally a MUST READ!
February 27, 2025
I Very Much Like UNLIKELY YOU
What a delight this story is! The "grumpy \ sunshine" trope is alive and well in this story but we also get to see the development of sunshine drums one and it's amazing. Read this and let the sun shine on you for a few hours. It's awesome.
What a delight this story is! The "grumpy \ sunshine" trope is alive and well in this story but we also get to see the development of sunshine drums one and it's amazing. Read this and let the sun shine on you for a few hours. It's awesome.
February 21, 2025
Unlikely You is a great addition to the Sapph in The City series. Bren is a prickly, introverted, book-centric artisan while Honey is an exceedingly extroverted beekeeper. Their relationship takes a long time to develop as Bren is very resistant to any interactions with Honey. There is some drama once they begin talking, but the angst is consistent with events. The couple is helped along at key points by a good supporting cast. As with previous books in the series, there are several opportunities to catch up with couples the reader may have met before. This is an engaging tale with a little spice, a happy ending, and an incorrigible orange cat named Arson.
February 20, 2025
Another good one
I am really enjoyingthis series. I admit I wasn't sure how it was going to work out with the four original friends already having their story told, but it did.
I have to say, though, an orange cat named Arson, found near a house that burned down. Priceless.
I am really enjoyingthis series. I admit I wasn't sure how it was going to work out with the four original friends already having their story told, but it did.
I have to say, though, an orange cat named Arson, found near a house that burned down. Priceless.
May 10, 2025
3-3.5 ⭐️
I’ll start by saying that this book has so much potential, but I require a few issues that help me back from giving it a higher rating.
I loved the idea of this books and its plot. It’s a fun take.
There were quite a few typos. Also, this story’s POV includes online chats. When you have that, there *has* to be a distinction between the online texts versus character narrations ie. text italicized or “username” then the text. The author didn’t do that and I found myself, a few times, having to reread a paragraph because it all blended together.
Along with that, she even confused her own characters: before Bren and Honey know each other as Bibliofile and Melliferal, she accidentally says “I’ll just ask for Bren’s advice” when it should have said Bibliofiles advice.
The story suffered from pacing issues. The beginning was well done and written out in a steady way. Then, we get to around 85% and it’s just quick quick quick. So rushed. Been has a “sex problem” that doesn’t even seem to be justified or developed enough and it just seemed like an afterthought.
Idk I enjoyed what I read but the end felt like a rushed fanfic. If it had kept the pacing, writing, and style as in the beginning it would have been fantastic.
I’ll start by saying that this book has so much potential, but I require a few issues that help me back from giving it a higher rating.
I loved the idea of this books and its plot. It’s a fun take.
There were quite a few typos. Also, this story’s POV includes online chats. When you have that, there *has* to be a distinction between the online texts versus character narrations ie. text italicized or “username” then the text. The author didn’t do that and I found myself, a few times, having to reread a paragraph because it all blended together.
Along with that, she even confused her own characters: before Bren and Honey know each other as Bibliofile and Melliferal, she accidentally says “I’ll just ask for Bren’s advice” when it should have said Bibliofiles advice.
The story suffered from pacing issues. The beginning was well done and written out in a steady way. Then, we get to around 85% and it’s just quick quick quick. So rushed. Been has a “sex problem” that doesn’t even seem to be justified or developed enough and it just seemed like an afterthought.
Idk I enjoyed what I read but the end felt like a rushed fanfic. If it had kept the pacing, writing, and style as in the beginning it would have been fantastic.
December 14, 2025
3.5/5
Was it a great book? No, but it was cute and entertaining and I don't regret reading it.
It has the grumpy X sunshine trope which I like. And who hasn't read a book with the MCs not knowing they already met online before meeting in real life? The plot was quite predictable but with some good lines that kept me going.
I wish there were more depth to everything though. To me, the development of the relationship between Bren and Honey was too fast. I needed a lot more to justify their romance/relationship. I liked that they openly communicated after started dating. I think that's great.
Pacing-wise it's good considering the book is short. Like the secondary characters especially Ellie. Not that we really know that much about them. Not great, but a cute and short book if you want something easy to read.
Was it a great book? No, but it was cute and entertaining and I don't regret reading it.
It has the grumpy X sunshine trope which I like. And who hasn't read a book with the MCs not knowing they already met online before meeting in real life? The plot was quite predictable but with some good lines that kept me going.
I wish there were more depth to everything though. To me, the development of the relationship between Bren and Honey was too fast. I needed a lot more to justify their romance/relationship. I liked that they openly communicated after started dating. I think that's great.
Pacing-wise it's good considering the book is short. Like the secondary characters especially Ellie. Not that we really know that much about them. Not great, but a cute and short book if you want something easy to read.
March 18, 2025
Two unusual women working their own small businesses sharing a common crafters area develop a love/hate relationship
Chelsea M. Cameron pulled these so very different women together, one with a very active and involved family and the other with no family. It took quite a bit of time to get into this storyline, once there it wouldn’t let me go. Patience won’t out for Honey and me too! Both these women had obvious issues but love won out.
Chelsea M. Cameron pulled these so very different women together, one with a very active and involved family and the other with no family. It took quite a bit of time to get into this storyline, once there it wouldn’t let me go. Patience won’t out for Honey and me too! Both these women had obvious issues but love won out.
June 12, 2026
I liked when they were winding each other up and the relationships with other characters. I thought their chemistry was going to be really good and I know it's a slow burn but jesus it was slow and then moved a million miles an hour with not a lot actually happening. I also expected more spice with what they were saying about books and preferences. But I did like how they they made it a safe space and assured her it's normal and doesn't have to be an end goal.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2025
Of all of Chelsea’s books this is absolutely one of my favourites. Bren and Honey are delightful protagonists and there’s a comfort about the way their relationship develops that makes me just want to keep reading about them.
Want to Read
March 26, 2025Question can you find this anywhere online??? like on an e-library
Note: I'm asking so I can find it and devour it >:)
Note: I'm asking so I can find it and devour it >:)
April 30, 2025
Enjoyed the character development and getting to know the 2.
May 22, 2025
love this whole series. good characters, good banter, a little spice, heartwarming and HEA.
January 18, 2026
unlikely you
The one who didn’t like people , the honey farm girl who sneaked her way into her life and through thick and thin feelings grew lovely read 🌈🌹
The one who didn’t like people , the honey farm girl who sneaked her way into her life and through thick and thin feelings grew lovely read 🌈🌹
March 21, 2026
So far the second best in the series.
June 2, 2026
4.25
March 10, 2025
📚🔖📖🛍️🐝🍯
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews